Upon reflect on the previous year, a curated list of exceptional feature-length pieces emerges. These narratives delve into complex topics ranging from political machinations and historical revelations to deeply personal journeys.
A Mysterious Novelist and the Soul of a Country
An author gained prominence in the 1990s with biting critiques on authoritarianism. Whereas several of his literary peers have encountered censorship or left the nation, he continues to sell vast numbers of copies. It raises a pressing query: Has the author turned into an apologist for the establishment?
Endurance and Complicity in the Syrian Horrific Civil War
The account of a young man, who at eighteen was given an ultimatum that his sole way to escape prison was to join the regime forces. After fourteen years, his former role as one of Assad's fighters may still cost him his life.
A Bitter Argument Over Our Ancient Beginnings
The unearthing of ancient remains in the Chadian desert in 2001 was heralded as radically rewriting the story of our human race. Yet, some scholars was persuaded. The ensuing intense argument has consumed the careers of paleoanthropologists ever since.
A UK Religious Group That Hid in Plain Sight
One woman was only a young girl when her family became part of the a religious community. As an adult, she helped reveal the shocking scale of exploitation it had committed.
A Leader's Puzzling Stance on International Law
A great many voters anticipated that the former human rights lawyer would restore the the nation's dedication to human rights. But, the performance over the first year in office has been curiously inconsistent.
Shattering a Country's Myth
A documentary tracking a repentant master criminal as she sets up corrupt clients with hidden cameras raises difficult queries: Is she genuinely reformed, and what are the director's true intentions?
A Man Who Decontaminates the UK's Most Traumatic Scenes
From homicide sites to biological waste, Ben Giles has seen – and cleaned – everything. In their most challenging times, families turn to him to bring back normalcy.
Can an Famous Institution Weather an "Omni-Crisis"?
Plagued by colonial controversy, strained finances and the discovery of an internal thief, the UK's premier museum is in a major crisis. The challenge remains: Is it possible to salvage its standing?
Beyond "Pregnancy Nausea": A Torture of Extreme Pregnancy
Referred to as hyperemesis gravidarum and once labeled 'pernicious vomiting' by the 19th century, this condition has long been without an consistent medical end – until potentially now.
The Spectre of Radicalism in Modern Politics
A militant extremist and pioneer of bigotry, a rabbi died a marginalized pariah 35 years ago. Now, his ideas permeate the highest levels of government.
An English Gentleman With a Fraudulent Side
With his keen mind and impeccable background, it's no surprise that affluent clients trusted him with their fortunes. Then they started to become uneasy.
The Small State That Emerged as the World's Mediation Capital
An astonishingly rich Gulf state has risen as a key actor on the international scene, attempting to mediate some of the most long-standing disputes. What are driving this unprecedented role?
A Close-Up Look at a Leader Preparing for International Summitry
Extremely unpopular at home, the French leader relishes the world stage, where he projects himself as the statesman best placed to manage a particular former American leader. Seven years after their previous encounter, a writer accompanied him as he readied himself for the summit.
Inside the Trial of a Heartbreaking Case
What led to the daughter of an aristocrat end up at the Old Bailey with her companion, facing charges with killing their newborn baby?
An End of a Major Aid Organization: Far From Widespread Mourning
When actions were made to drastically cut a major US development organization, many around the world were taken aback. But on the ground in a West African nation, this latest letdown was far from unforeseen.
The Disturbing 1960s Experiment on South Asian Women
When information about a scientific experiment in the 1960s were revealed, there was widespread anxiety. But the exact story of the procedures remains somewhat shrouded.
The "Genius" of the Attention Economy
He's spent a full day in a vat of goo, 48 hours underground – and given away enormous amounts of money to selected contestants. But are these productions simply incredibly savvy clickbait – or acts of artistic brilliance?
Existence in a Nation Threatened by the Rising Seas
With sea levels rising, much of this Pacific island nation's people is facing the possibility that their islands may in the near future be submerged. The urgent issue is: Where are they going to go?
One Sorrowful Case of Youth Destitution
When I met a young boy he was 13 and without a home. Even then thought his life might turn around. That hope was tragically wrong.
The Global AI Race and a Pivotal Defection
In the recent past, after spending half his life in the US, Song-Chun Zhu took a one-way ticket to China. Today, he may possess the key to which nation wins the global technological rivalry.
The most impactful narratives
